RICS Level 2 Survey in Treverbyn

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives you a careful check of the property's visible condition, picking up defects or issues that could affect value or lead to future spending. We inspect all accessible areas, including the roof, walls, floors, windows, doors and foundations. During the visit, our surveyors look for signs of damp, rot, structural movement and any concerns linked to the property's construction.

In Treverbyn, we often see homes built in traditional Cornish stone or older solid-wall construction, so our surveyors pay close attention to damp-proof courses, including cases where there is no damp-proof course at all, the condition of slate roofing, and the soundness of older drainage systems. The local geology, shaped by Devonian slates and granite intrusions, usually offers good ground stability. Even so, we still check for subsidence or ground movement that could be connected to historical china clay mining activity in the region.

After the inspection, we send a detailed report in plain English. It uses a traffic light system to flag defects clearly, red for serious issues needing urgent attention, amber for items to keep under review, and green for parts in satisfactory condition. We also set out practical guidance on what each finding could mean for your ongoing maintenance budget, so you can prioritise repairs and plan ahead financially for the years ahead.

We also assess the property's overall value and point out any issues that could influence your mortgage valuation. Where a purchase involves a mortgage, lenders want to know the property offers adequate security for their loan, and our report gives them the independent assessment they need.

• Roof and loft condition
• Walls, dampness and structural integrity
• Windows and doors
• Floors and ceilings
• Plumbing and electrical visible fittings
• Damp and timber condition
• Exterior joinery and finishes
• Boundaries and access

Treverbyn's homes reflect a long building history, and construction methods can vary a good deal with the age of the property. Older homes, especially those built before 1919, are often solid wall buildings in local granite and slate stone, frequently finished with lime-based renders. Because these walls were built without cavity insulation, they can be more vulnerable to damp penetration where the render has failed or where damp-proof courses are missing or damaged.

The post-war years brought more modern methods, and many semi-detached houses built between 1919 and 1945 used cavity wall construction in brick or concrete blocks. Roofs from that period were usually pitched and covered with slate or, sometimes, concrete tiles. Our surveyors know these construction types well and understand what to look for when inspecting homes of different ages across Treverbyn and the surrounding villages.

Homes built since the 1990s tend to use contemporary construction, with insulated cavity walls, modern damp-proof courses, and uPVC windows and doors. They often need less upkeep, but we still check for the usual trouble spots, including poor ventilation, condensation, and any defects that have shown up since the property was built.

The St Austell area, Treverbyn included, has long ties to the china clay industry, and that history still matters for both architecture and ground conditions in some locations. A number of properties may stand on land once used for clay extraction or processing, so our surveyors stay alert to unusual settlement patterns or any sign of ground instability that could suggest historical mining activity beneath the property.

Treverbyn and the wider St Austell area bring a set of issues our surveyors are used to dealing with. The housing stock ranges from older stone-built cottages to post-war semi-detached houses and newer developments, so each inspection needs its own approach. One regular finding is damp in older solid-wall homes, especially where original renders have failed or where damp-proof courses are missing or damaged.

Across the area, slate roofing is common. It is a durable material, but older roofs often have slipped tiles, worn lead flashings or moss growth that can allow water ingress. Our surveyors assess roof condition from inside the loft and from outside where safe access is available. We also look for timber defects, including rot in roof timbers and woodworm in floor joists, both of which can be more common in older properties exposed to moisture.

The history of china clay mining around St Austell means some homes may sit on ground affected by past mining activity. Granite and slate bedrock generally gives good stability, but we still watch for cracking, subsidence and other signs of ground movement that might point to localised instability. We also inspect drainage and check for any evidence of surface water flooding, which is a greater risk in low-lying areas near watercourses.

Older properties often need closer scrutiny when it comes to electrical and plumbing systems. Homes built before current electrical regulations may still have outdated wiring that falls short of modern safety standards, and older plumbing can include galvanised steel pipes that are vulnerable to corrosion and reduced water pressure. We highlight these issues in the survey so you can budget for any upgrades that may be needed.

• Rising and penetrating damp in solid-wall properties
• Slate roof defects and lead flashing deterioration
• Timber rot and woodworm in roof structures
• Signs of subsidence or ground movement
• Outdated electrical installations
• Drainage and surface water issues
• Window and door joinery decay
• Wall crack assessment